6 wins on the bang for the 2nds.

Heath 2nds. Heath 2nd XV made the short trip to Hipperholme to take on Old Brodleians 3rd XV with a side bolstered by some returning 1st XV players but also suffering with a number of late withdrawals from the selected team leaving the them starting with no replacements available and the veteran, “Alf” BAXTER in the unaccustomed role of wing. Heath played down the sizeable slope in the first half and immediately put pressure on the home side with the play being spent predominantly in the opposition half. Heath were unable to break down the stubborn “Brods” defence and it was the home side who actually opened the scoring after 17 minutes when, after a brief spell of pressure, the ball was transferred down the line for an unconverted try out wide making the score 0-5. Heath came straight back into the game and the platform was laid by the forwards in the home “22” before the ball was moved left where winger, Gary WIGGINS, in his first full appearance of the season for the 2nds, took the pass and scored near enough to the posts to allow Oliver COOK to kick the conversion to put Heath into the lead, 7-5. Both sides were attempting to play 15 man rugby in an entertaining fist half and “Brods” increased the pressure on the Heath line as half time approached but were hit by a sucker punch in the 38th minute when the home centres” short pass was well intercepted by centre, Joff WARD, who ran 80 yards to score a try under the posts. The try was converted by Oliver COOK and Heath went into half time with a handy 14-5 lead. Heath started the second half up the slope knowing that their defensive work would have to remain solid and errors would have to be kept to a minimum. However, from the kick off, the attempted relieving kick to touch was missed and “Brods” camped in the Heath “22” and they were rewarded with a converted try after only 44 minutes making the score 14-12. “Brods” continued to press but the Heath defence was superb with all 15 players putting in excellent tackles to keep their opponents out. Heath rode the storm and continued in their attempts to move the ball to the promising-looking back line whenever possible. On one of these occasions, Joff WARD made an excellent break into the home “22” and debutant centre, Sean WRIGHT, was on hand to score an excellent try under the posts. The try was converted by Oliver COOK to increase the lead to 21-12 after 54 minutes. “Brods” came straight back at Heath from the kick off and became encamped in the Heath half for some time. The Heath boys continued to repel the attacks with superb defensive play but the line was eventually broken when the ball was quickly moved down the line for the “Brods” centre to score an unconverted try near the corner to make the score 21-17 after 62 minutes. It was obvious that this game was going to go down to the wire and Old Brods kept the pressure up on the Heath line. This now called for a massive effort from Heath to maintain their lead. David CRAIGIE had arrived in the second half to act as replacement and he entered the fray after 70 minutes replacing the injured Mick HANKS who had put in an excellent display. He went onto the wing and “Alf” then took up another unaccustomed position joining captain, Emlyn JAMES in the second row. By now, the Heath lads were putting their bodies on the line and making sure that they did not lose their lead. Heath rode the storm and outside half, Tom SMITH, led the backs upfield creating a good attacking position in the home “22”. From good ball provided by the forwards, the ball was moved left and the ball reached Gary WIGGINS who finished off a good handling move in the corner for his second try of the match. The conversion was missed but the lead was now more comfortable at 26-17 with only a matter of minutes remaining. The topsy turvy game continued and “Brods” created a platform in the Heath “22” where the home outside half then made a good individual break and scored a try under the posts which was converted. At 26-24 with 2 minutes remaining the nerves were beginning to jangle somewhat. However, the lads stuck in there and the final whistle blew for an excellent victory. Man of the Match awards went to Rob OWEN, the full back, who had a superb game, putting in some tremendous tackles near the Heath line and also joining the attacking line when required and debutant centre, Sean WRIGHT, who has now “lost his virginity” after scoring his first ever try in 15 years of playing rugby!! This is now 6 wins on the bang for Heath 2nd XV and this game epitomised the outstanding team spirit and togetherness which is present within the team at present with 1-16 putting in committed and determined performances to a man.